Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome in Dogs

Abstract

Acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome is defined as sudden onset of severe bloody diarrhea frequently associated with vomiting, which results in severe, sometimes life-threatening dehydration. Although there is strong evidence that clostridial overgrowth and toxin release is responsible for the pathogenesis of the disease, the diagnosis is still based on exclusion of other causes for acute hemorrhagic diarrhea. With early and appropriate treatment, mainly based on fluid therapy, the prognosis is good and complications such as sepsis or severe hypoalbuminemia rarely occur.

Keywords: Clostridium perfringens; Dog; Gastrointestinal bleeding; Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis; NetF; Pore-forming toxin.